McCoy just two away from magical 3,000 winner mark
The 34-year-old landed the spoils on Stradbrook for his boss JP McManus and trainer Jonjo O’Neill to take his total to 2,998.
Sent off the 3-1 favourite for the Bruton Handicap Hurdle, the seven-year-old hit the front early in the straight and appeared to have the measure of all his rivals.
However, first Richard Johnson challenged on Oiseau De Nuit and then Timmy Murphy charged home on Tender Falcon.
The three crossed the line in unison, a trio of riders at the top of their game, and while none had done anything wrong, yet again it was McCoy who prevailed by the narrowest of margins.
McCoy said: “The race didn’t go to plan and I’d have preferred a faster pace even though it is heavy ground.
“I didn’t want to be too far back and I probably got there a bit early. I think Richard’s horse was in front of me for most of the last 100 yards and when Timmy’s horse came at me on my outside, my horse just stuck his head down again.
“I’d say 10 yards before the line Richard was in front and five yards after the line Timmy was in front.”
The McCoy roadshow now moves to Chepstow today where the 13-times champion jockey originally had only two booked rides – both in the colours of McManus - but has since picked up a spare on Jim Best’s Man Of The Moment.
McCoy also rides Gabreselassie in the opening EBF “National Hunt” Novices’ Hurdle and is in action 30 minutes later aboard Fourball in the Jenkinsons Caterers Handicap Chase. Both horses are trained by O’Neill.
Speaking about the fact he could only get one ride at Wincanton, McCoy said: ``I couldn't get another ride (today) and that is being honest.
“We are having to decide where I go on Saturday, Doncaster or Sandown, and at the moment I’m doing my best to pick between one ride at each and I’ll have to see whether I can get something at either meeting to go along with them.
“At the moment all I’ve got is Clew Bay Cove at Doncaster or Good Moment at Sandown because there will be so few runners at Sandown, it is not by choice.
“All the people that are riding today are riding for their retained stables so I’ve no divine right to be riding their horses.”
Victor Chandler offer odds of 11-4 about McCoy completing the feat today while it is 6-4 he will reach the magical number on Saturday.
Should he fail to strike on either day, you can get 9-4 for him to complete the task on Sunday with the firm offering 9-2 that it drags into next week.
